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Holland: "Gladio" dismantled

01 September 1993

The Algemeen Dagblad daily newspaper has reported that the several dozen of members of the "Inlichtingen" (intelligence) and Operations stay-behind units, usually referred to as "Gladio" since the 1990 exposures, received a letter from Minister of Defence Mr Relus Ter Beek in April 1992 thanking them for their services to the country. The letter states that the "stay-behind" facilities have become obsolete now that the possibility of a hostile occupation is considered most unlikely. Prime Minister Mr Ruud Lubbers declared in parliament in November 1990 that the resistance network was directed onto a new course, and that its future activities were being looked into. In a reaction to the newspaper article, government spokespersons have admitted that the stay behind networks have been closed down. The Green Left party has asked questions in parliament about the alleged tax evasion in relation to an earlier statement by the Prime Minister that no illegal acts were committed in relation to the Dutch Gladio . The government's decision not to announce the dismantling of the network in 1990-1991, unlike most other European countries, was attributed by observers to a concern over a possible forced disclosure of past arrangements and activities.

Algemeen Dagblad says that top figures in the civil service, the military and private corporations have been receiving payments of sometimes thousands of guilders per month for their "Gladio" activities and were under strict instructions not to report these incomes to the Inland Revenue Service. The independent Auditor General charged with Gladio's financial oversight turned a blind eye on these practices. Since the mid-1980s "Gladio" agents were required to present anonymous bills to document their expenses.

Algemeen Dagblad, 7.9.93.